Building block system

ABSTRACT

A mortar-less building block system including interlocking building blocks, joist hangers, truss brackets, and insulation member disposed exterior to the block; the block having a front face and a back face, a top face and a bottom face, and a protrusion side face and a recess side face all connected to form the building block; the front face and the back face each have a pair of longitudinal recesses, the top face having a pair of longitudinal recesses aligned with the longitudinal recesses of the front face and the back face, and the top face further having a transverse recess centrally located on the top face transversely intersecting the pair of longitudinal recesses, creating intersection points; the recess side face having a transverse recess aligned with the transverse recess of the top face, and the protrusion side face having a transverse protrusion designed to mate with the transverse recess of an other of the building block; the bottom face having at least one transverse protrusion for mating with the recess of a top face of an other of the building block, the transverse protrusion aligned with the recess of the recess side face, and aligned with the protrusion of the protrusion side face; the mortar-less building block having a pair of bores allowing a user to place a rod within the bore to lock multiple blocks together.

This patent application is a non-provisional application that claimspriority to U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/289,002, filed onDec. 22, 2009 and incorporates the same by reference as if set forthherein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention generally relates to a building block design for use in abuilding block system, and more particularly, an interlocking blocksystem incorporating interlocking building blocks, joist hangers, rooftruss anchors, and thermal encapsulation members disposed on theexternal face of the block. The inventive building block allows for theconstruction of an interlocked wall and transverse wall using aplurality of blocks that all having the same design.

2. Discussion of Related Prior Art

Traditional building block structures are constructed masonry style withlayers (or courses) of overlapping blocks fixed together with mortar mixbetween blocks and between courses. Traditional mortar-less blockapplications attempt to address this issue.

Osbourne, U.S. Pat. No. 4,651,485 discloses an interlocking buildingblock system having a plurality of building blocks having ribs on somefaces and recesses on other faces to receive ribs of another of theblock. The blocks are stacked next to each other to form a course, andthe second course is staggered above the first course such that thevertical joints of the first course do not line up with the verticaljoints of an adjoining course of block. A corner block is necessary withthis system to provide for a complete system. Accordingly, a transversewall of interlocking block cannot be constructed without the additionalcorner block design.

The prior art discussed by Osbourne also addresses other mortar-lessblock applications. The prior art in general and the art discussed donot disclose the inventive building block system disclosed herein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention may be embodied as mortar-less building block forbuilding a structure. The block designed to implement a complete systemutilizing a single building block configurablly adapted to be utilizedin building corners of structures, transverse courses, and additionalcourses above the first course. The building block having a front faceand a back face, a top face and a bottom face, and a protrusion sideface and a recess side face all connected to form the building block.The front face and the back face each having a pair of longitudinalrecesses preferably spaced apart by 8 inches. The top face having a pairof longitudinal recesses aligned with the longitudinal recesses of thefront face and the back face, and the top face further having atransverse recess centrally located on the top face transverselyintersecting the pair of longitudinal recesses, creating intersectionpoints. The recess side face having a transverse recess aligned with thetransverse recess of the top face. The protrusion side face having atransverse protrusion designed to mate with the transverse recess of another of the building block. The recess side face and the protrusionside face (the side faces) are designed to interlock with other blocksto provide enhanced resistance to forces normal to the wall face. Thebottom face having at least one transverse protrusion for mating withthe recess of a top face of an other of the building block. Thetransverse protrusion of the bottom face is aligned with the recess ofthe recess side face, and aligned with the protrusion of the protrusionside face.

In a preferred embodiment, the mortar-less building block has a pair ofbores, each bore longitudinally disposed to extend from the intersectionpoints of the top face to corresponding bottom face intersection points,thereby allowing a user to place a rod within the bore of a firstbuilding block and within the bore of a second building block when saidfirst and second building blocks are placed on top of each other.

The present invention includes a plurality of joist hangers forsupporting a joist, each joist hanger having an upper anchoring memberattached to an upper u-shaped channel, a lower anchoring member attachedto a lower u-shaped channel, and one or more connective membersconnecting the upper u-shaped channel to the lower u-shaped channel, soto receive a joist within said upper and lower u-shaped channels. Theupper and lower anchoring members having mounts for alignment with abore of the pair of bores of the block and for receiving an anchor suchas a rod or a bolt.

The present invention includes a plurality of truss brackets foranchoring a portion of a truss onto the block, each truss bracket havinga recess shaped channel and a pair of arms for receiving the portion ofthe truss and a bore mount for anchoring the recess channel to a bore ofthe block with an anchor such as a rod or a bolt. The recess channelfurther includes a plurality of mounts for receiving a fastener such ascrew or a nail for fixing the portion of the truss to the recesschannel when the portion of the truss is disposed within the recesschannel.

The present invention further includes a half-block for cooperating withthe building block to construct openings such as doorways and windowsinto a wall. The half block having a front face and a back face, a topface and a bottom face, and a protrusion side face and a recess sideface all connected to form the building block. The front face and theback face each having a longitudinal recess. The top face having alongitudinal recess aligned with the longitudinal recess of the frontface and the back face, and the top face further having a transverserecess centrally located on the top face transversely intersecting thelongitudinal recess, creating an intersection point. The recess sideface having a transverse recess aligned with the transverse recess ofthe top face. The protrusion side face having a transverse protrusiondesigned to mate with the transverse recess of an other of the buildingblock. The bottom face having at least one transverse protrusion formating with the top face of an other of the building block, thetransverse protrusion aligned with the transverse recess of the recessside face, and aligned with the transverse protrusion of the protrusionside face. The half block further having a bore extending through thehalf block in a direction normal to the top face to enable a rod to beplaced through the bore of the half block and into the bore of anotherblock.

The present invention may be embodied as mortar-less building blocksystem for building a structure. The system comprising the morter-lessbuilding block as described herein, a plurality of alignment rods, aplurality of joist hangers, and a plurality of truss brackets, and aninsulating member disposed exterior to the morter-less building block.

The present invention may be embodied as a thermal reservoir structuralwall comprising one or more of the components of the system describedherein and further comprising an insulating member applied to theexterior facing face of the block(s).

The present invention includes a method of constructing a block wallcomprising placing a first block in a first location; forming a courseby mating one side face of the first block with a cooperating side faceof an additional block, laterally interlocking one or more additionalblocks by mating one side face of the one or more additional blocks witha cooperating side face of an other of the one or more additional blocksor the additional block; forming a transverse course by mating onerecess of the front or back face of the first block with a protrusionside face of an additional block, laterally interlocking one or moreadditional blocks by mating one side face of the one or more additionalblocks with a cooperating side face of an other of the one or moreadditional blocks or the additional block; laying an additional courseby mating the transverse protrusion of the bottom face of an additionalblock with either a transverse recess or a longitudinal recess of thefirst block or one or more additional blocks, and aligning the bore ofthe additional block with the bore of the first block or the one or moreadditional blocks; inserting a rod or alignment pin into a bore of oneblock and extending the rod or alignment pin into a bore of one or moreadditional blocks.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to present a concept inbuilding design and construction by using a mortar-less, self-aligining,interlocking building block that may be assembled in longitudinalstaggered rows or courses to form a solid and sturdy wall structure. Theblocks by the use of pins inserted through bores of the blocks, may bedry stacked or sealed with a cement-like bonding sealer on all joints.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an extreme windresistance building system.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an earthquakeresistant building.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a fireresistant building structure.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a termiteresistant building structure.

It is another object of the present invention to provide interlockingbuilding wall corners, where no corner blocks are needed, regular blocksare used on corners, to provide uniform configuration and simplicity inbuilding block components.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a uniforminterlocking building block having vertical center holes every 8 incheson center for aligning pins and rebar for building codes.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a wallstructure of interlocking blocks having a verticalrectangular-trapezoidal channels interior and exterior which may be usedfor plumbing, electrical wires, conduit, air ducts or inserting 2×4building lumber for structural members.

It is another object of the present invention to provide thermodynamicheat storing interior wall system by using a rigid or liquid spray foaminsulation on the exterior of the wall.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a continuousvertical wall system from foundation footers to roof truss by fasteningfloor joists on interior walls with specially adapted joist angers androof truss anchors.

It is another object of the present invention to provide horizontalrectangular-trapezoidal channels for roof truss anchors spaced every 8inches on center on top row or course of blocks by the use of specialtruss hanger brackets secured in channels for a stronger wind resistancestructural fastening roof truss system.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a wallstructure building block system that would reduce structural damage in aflooding/high water situation.

It is another object of the present invention to provide blocks that areof a relatively simply uniform configuration, and walls constructed ofsaid blocks.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a structuralbuilding block system that would reduce time and construction cost.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide astructural block system that overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art,and other objects will become apparent in the detailed description andclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The advantages, nature and various additional features of the inventionwill appear more fully upon consideration of the illustrative embodimentof the invention which is schematically set forth in the drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a front view of one embodiment of a channel block.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the channel block of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the channel block of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a left hand end view of the channel block of FIG. 1 and a halfblock.

FIG. 5 is a right hand end view of the channel block of FIG. 1 and ahalf block.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the half block.

FIG. 7 is a top view of the half block.

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the half block.

FIG. 9 is a front view of the joist hanger.

FIG. 10 is an end view of the joist hanger.

FIG. 11 is a top view of the joist hanger.

FIG. 12 is a bottom view of the joist hanger.

FIG. 13 is a front view of the truss bracket.

FIG. 14 is a side view of the truss bracket.

FIG. 15 is a plan view of two channel blocks.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the invention is open to various modifications and alternativeforms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of examples in thedrawings and are described herein in detail. There is no intent to limitthe invention to the particular forms disclosed.

Referring now to the drawings, in particular to FIGS. 1-5, the presentinvention is a mortar-less building block 11 for building a structure.The building block 11 having a front face 13 and a back face 15, a topface 17 and a bottom face 19, and a protrusion side face 21 and a recessside face 23 all connected to form the building block 11.

Referring to FIGS. 1-2, the front face 13 and the back face 15 each havea pair of longitudinal recesses 25 that preferably are spaced apart by 8inches.

Referring to FIG. 2, the top face 17 has a pair of longitudinal recesses25 aligned with the longitudinal recesses 25 of the front face 13 andthe back face 15. The top face 17 further has a transverse recess 27centrally located on the top face 17 transversely intersecting the pairof longitudinal recesses 25, creating intersection points 29.

Turning to FIG. 5, the recess side face 23 having a transverse recess 27aligned with the transverse recess 27 of the top face 17.

Turning to FIG. 6, the protrusion side face 21 has a transverseprotrusion 31 designed to mate with the transverse recess 27 of an otherof the building block 11.

Turning to FIG. 3, the bottom face has at least one transverseprotrusion 31 for mating with a recess 25, 27 of a top face 17 of another of the building block 11. The transverse protrusion 31 is alignedwith the transverse recess 27 of the recess side face 23 and alignedwith the transverse protrusion 31 of the protrusion side face 21.

The mortar-less building block 11 has a pair of bores 33, each bore 33longitudinally disposed to extend from the intersection points 29 of thetop face 17 to the bottom face 19 intersection points 29, therebyallowing a user to place a rod or pin within the bore 33 of a firstbuilding block 11 and within the bore of a second building block 11 whensaid first and second building blocks 11 are placed on top of eachother.

In a preferred embodiment, the building block 11 is dimensioned to be a16″ by 8″ block, a structural block, similar to the traditional masonryblock which is standard in the trade. In an alternate embodiment, theblock is half scale 8″ by 4″ for use as exterior facing and interiorwalls. Alternate scales may be employed within the spirit of theinvention.

Referring to FIGS. 9-12, there is shown a joist hanger 35 for supportinga joist (not shown). The joist hanger 35 has an upper anchoring member37 attached to an upper u-shaped channel 39, a lower anchoring member 41attached to a lower u-shaped channel 43, and one or more connectivemembers 45 connecting the upper u-shaped channel 39 to the loweru-shaped channel 43, so to receive a joist (not shown) within said upperand lower u-shaped channels 39, 43. The upper anchoring member 37 andlower anchoring member 41 have mounts 47 for alignment with a bore 33 ofthe block 11 for receiving an anchor such as a rod or a bolt.

Referring to FIGS. 13-14 there is shown a truss bracket 49 for anchoringa portion of a truss to the block 11. Each truss bracket 49 has a pairof arms 51 connected to a recess channel 53. The recess channel 53 isadapted to cooperatively fit within the longitudinal recesses 25, 125and/or the transverse recesses 27, 127 of the building block 11. Therecess channel 53 further has a bore mount 57 for fixing the trussbracket 49 to a bore 33 of the block 11 with an anchor such as a rod ora bolt. Alternately, holes are drilled into the building block 11, andbolts and molly-type anchoring systems, or the like are used to fix thetruss bracket 49 to the block using the bore mount 57. The pair of arms51 further include a plurality of mounts 55 for receiving a fastenersuch a screw or a nail for fixing the portion of the truss to the trussbracket when the portion of the truss is disposed within the pair ofarms 51.

Referring to FIGS. 4-8, the present invention further includes ahalf-block 111 for cooperating with the inventive building block 11 toconstruct openings such as doorways and windows into a wall. The halfblock 111 having a front face 113 and a back face 115, a top face 117and a bottom face 119, and a protrusion side face 121 and a recess sideface 123 all connected to form the half block 111. The front face 113and the back face 115 each having a longitudinal recess 125. The topface 113 having a longitudinal recess 125 aligned with the longitudinalrecess 125 of the front face 113 and the back face 115, and the top face117 further having a transverse recess 127 centrally located on the topface 117 transversely intersecting the longitudinal recess 125, creatingan intersection point 129.

Referring to FIGS. 5-8, the recess side face 123 has a transverse recess127 aligned with the transverse recess 127 of the top face 117. Theprotrusion side face 121 has a transverse protrusion 131 designed tomate with the recess 25, 125, 27, 127 of an other of the building block11,111.

Turning to FIG. 8, the bottom face 119 has at least one transverseprotrusion 131 for mating with the top face 17, 117 of an other of thebuilding block 11,111. The transverse protrusion 131 is aligned with thetransverse recess 27, 127 of the recess side face 23,123, and alignedwith the transverse protrusion 131 of the protrusion side face 121. Thehalf block 111, further has a bore 133 extending through the half block11 in a direction normal to the top face 117 to enable a rod to beplaced through the bore 133 of the half block 111 and into the bore 33,133 of another block 11, 111.

The present invention may be embodied as a mortar-less building blocksystem for building a structure. The system comprising the mortar-lessbuilding block 11, 111 as described herein, a plurality of alignmentrods (not shown) a plurality of joist hangers 35, and a plurality oftruss brackets 49. Preferably, an insulating member (not shown) isdisposed exterior to the morter-less building block 11, 111. Theinsulating member preferably is a spray on foam, insulation board, orany other suitable insulating member.

The present invention may be embodied as a thermal reservoir structuralwall comprising one or more of the components of the system describedherein and further comprising an insulating member (not shown) appliedto the exterior facing of the block(s) 11, 111.

The present invention includes a method of constructing a block wallcomprising placing a first block 11, in a first location; forming acourse by mating one side face 21, 23 of the first block 11 with acooperating side face 21, 23, 121, 123 of an additional block 11, 111.One or more additional blocks 111 are laterally interlocked by matingone side face 21, 23, 121, 123 of the one or more additional blocks 11,111 with a cooperating side face 21, 23, 121, 123 of an other of the oneor more additional blocks 11,111.

A transverse course (that is a course running perpendicular to thecourse) is formed by mating one recess 25, 125 of the front face 13, 113or back face 15, 115 of the first block 11 with a protrusion side face21, 121 of an additional block 11, 111. Additional transverse coursesmay be formed by mating one recess 25, 125 of the front face 13, 113 orback face 15, 115 of another block 11 with a protrusion side face 21,121 of an additional block 11, 111.

One or more additional blocks 11, 111 are laterally interlocked bymating one side face 21, 23, 121,123 of the one or more additionalblocks 11, 111 with a cooperating side face 21, 23,121,123, of the oneor more additional blocks 11,111.

A second transverse course is set by mating the transverse protrusion31,131 of the bottom face 19, 119 of an additional block 11, 111 with alongitudinal recess 25, 125 of the top face of the first block;

A second course is set by mating the transverse protrusion 31,131 of thebottom face 19, 119 of an additional block 11, 111 with a transverserecess of the top face of the first block;

Additional courses are set by mating the transverse protrusion 31,131 ofthe bottom face 19, 119 of an additional block 11, 111 with either atransverse recess 27, 127 or a longitudinal recess 25, 125 of theadditional blocks 11, 111 disposed on the lower courses

The bore 33, 133 of the additional block 11, 111 is aligned with thebore 33, 133 one or more additional blocks 11,111, and a rod or pin isinserted into a bore of one block 11, 111 and extending the rod oralignment pin into a bore 33 of one or more additional blocks 11, 111.

A joist hanger 35 is set by aligning the mount 47 of the upper anchormember 37 with a bore 33 on the top face 17, 117 of a block 11, 111. Themount 47 of the lower anchor member 41 is also aligned with a bore onthe bottom face 19, 119 of the block 11, 111. A pin or a rod is passedthrough the mount 47 of the upper anchor member 37, though the bore 33of the block 11, 111, through the lower anchor member 41 of the joisthanger 35, and preferably through a bore 33 of another block 11, 111situated above or below the joist hanger 35.

A truss bracket 49 is provided to mount a truss member (not shown) to awall constructed of block 11, 111. The truss bracket 49 is fixed to ablock 11, 111 by aligning the bore mount 57 with a bore 33 of the block11, 111 and inserting a bolt, rod, or pin to fix the truss bracket 49 tothe block 11, 111. Alternately, other anchoring systems (such asdrilling holes and/or inserting molly anchors and bolts) can be used tofix the truss bracket 49 to the wall.

For interior finishing, a flush support bracket may be utilized, whichcomprises a recess fitting member connected to or integral with a recessextending member. The recess fitting member is adapted to fit within arecess 25, 125, 27, 127 of a block 11, 111 and extend beyond the face ofthe block 11, 111 to allow attachment of junction boxes and the like.

The Appendix, a copy of which is attached hereto, comprises papers thatdiscuss the invention, and is incorporated by reference as if set forthentirely herein.

Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described indetail herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to beunderstood that the invention is not limited to those particularembodiments, and that various changes and modifications may be effectedtherein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope orspirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

1. A mortar-less building block system for building a structure, thesystem comprising a plurality of mortar-less building blocks 11 forbuilding a wall, a plurality of joist hangers 35 for fixing joists tothe wall, a plurality of truss brackets 49 for fixing trusses to thewall, and a plurality of alignment rods for connecting the plurality ofbuilding blocks with each other and/or the plurality of joist hangersand/or the plurality of truss brackets 49: each of the plurality ofmortar-less building blocks 11 including a front face 13 and a back face15, a top face 17 and a bottom face 19, and a protrusion side face 21and a recess side face 23 all connected to form the building block; thefront face 13 and the back face 15 each include a pair of longitudinalrecesses, the top face 17 includes a pair of longitudinal recesses 25aligned with the longitudinal recesses 25 of the front face 13 and theback face 15 and a transverse recess 27 centrally located on the topface 17 transversely intersecting the pair of longitudinal recesses 25,creating intersection points 29, the recess side face 23 includes atransverse recess 27 aligned with the transverse recess 27 of the topface 17, the protrusion side face 21 includes a transverse protrusion 31designed to mate with the transverse recess 27 of an other of thebuilding block 11, the bottom face having at least one transverseprotrusion 31 for mating with a recess 25, 27 of a top face 17 of another of the building block 11, the transverse protrusion 31 is alignedwith the transverse recess 27 of the recess side face 23 and alignedwith the transverse protrusion 31 of the protrusion side face 21, and apair of bores 33, each bore 33 longitudinally disposed to extend fromthe intersection points 29 of the top face 17 to the bottom face 19, forallowing a user to place an alignment rod and/or a rod or pin within abore 33 of a first building block 11 and within the bore of a secondbuilding block 11 when said first and second building blocks 11 areplaced on top of each other; each of the plurality of joist hangers 35include an upper anchoring member 37 attached to an upper u-shapedchannel 39, a lower anchoring member 41 attached to a lower u-shapedchannel 43, and one or more connective members 45 connecting the upperu-shaped channel 39 to the lower u-shaped channel 43, so to receive aportion of joist within said upper and lower u-shaped channels 39, theupper anchoring member 37 and lower anchoring member 41 having mounts 47for alignment with a bore 33 of the block 11 for receiving an alignmentrod and/or an anchor such as a rod or a bolt; each of the plurality oftruss brackets 49 having a pair of arms 51 connected to a recess channel53, the recess channel 53 adapted to cooperatively fit within thelongitudinal recesses 25, 125 and/or the transverse recesses 27, 127 ofthe building block 11, and the recess channel 53 further having a boremount 57 for fixing the truss bracket 49 to a bore 33 of the block 11with one or more of the plurality of alignment rods, and/or an anchorsuch as a rod or a bolt, and the pair of arms includes a plurality ofmounts 55 for receiving a fastener such a screw or a nail for fixing theportion of the truss to the truss bracket when the portion of the trussis disposed within the pair of arms
 51. 2. The system of claim 1,further including an insulating member fixed to at least a portion(preferably the entirety) of the wall at an exterior wall face to form athermal reservoir.
 3. The system of claim 2, further including aplurality of half blocks, each half block of the plurality of halfblocks 111 for cooperating with the building block 11 and/or other halfblocks to construct openings such as doorways and windows, each halfblock 111 having a front face 113 and a back face 115, a top face 117and a bottom face 119, and a protrusion side face 121 and a recess sideface 123 all connected to form the half block 111; the front face 113and the back face 115 each having a longitudinal recess 125, the topface 113 having a longitudinal recess 125 aligned with the longitudinalrecess 125 of the front face 113 and the back face 115, and the top face117 further having a transverse recess 127 centrally located on the topface 117 transversely intersecting the longitudinal recess 125, creatingan intersection point 129; the recess side face 123 has a transverserecess 127 aligned with the transverse recess 127 of the top face 117,and the protrusion side face 121 has a transverse protrusion 131designed to mate with the recess 25, 125, 27, 127 of an other of thebuilding block 11,111; the bottom face 119 has at least one transverseprotrusion 131 for mating with the top face 17, 117 of an other of thebuilding block 11,111, and the transverse protrusion 131 is aligned withthe transverse recess 27, 127 of the recess side face 23,123, andaligned with the transverse protrusion 131 of the protrusion side face121; and
 4. The half block 111 of claim 3, further including a bore 133extending through the half block 11 in a direction normal to the topface 117 to enable a rod to be placed through the bore 133 of the halfblock 111 and into the bore 33, 133 of another block 11,
 111. 5. Amethod of constructing a structure comprising the steps of: providing aplurality of alignment rods and a plurality of mortar-less buildingblocks 11, each of the plurality of blocks 11 including a front face 13and a back face 15, a top face 17 and a bottom face 19, and a protrusionside face 21 and a recess side face 23 all connected to form thebuilding block; the front face 13 and the back face 15 each include apair of longitudinal recesses, the top face 17 includes a pair oflongitudinal recesses 25 aligned with the longitudinal recesses 25 ofthe front face 13 and the back face 15 and a transverse recess 27centrally located on the top face 17 transversely intersecting the pairof longitudinal recesses 25, creating intersection points 29, the recessside face 23 having a transverse recess 27 aligned with the transverserecess 27 of the top face 17, the protrusion side face 21 having atransverse protrusion 31 designed to mate with the transverse recess 27of an other of the building block 11, the bottom face having at leastone transverse protrusion 31 for mating with a recess 25, 27 of a topface 17 of an other of the building block 11, the transverse protrusion31 being aligned with the transverse recess 27 of the recess side face23 and aligned with the transverse protrusion 31 of the protrusion sideface 21, and a pair of bores 33, each bore 33 longitudinally disposed toextend from the intersection points 29 of the top face 17 to the bottomface 19 intersection points 29, for allowing a user to place analignment rod or pin within the bore 33 of a first building block 11 andwithin the bore of a second building block 11 when said first and secondbuilding blocks 11 are placed on top of each other; placing a firstblock 11, 111 in a first location; forming a course by mating one sideface 21, 23 of the first block 11 with a cooperating side face 21, 23,121, 123 of an additional block 11, 111; laterally interlocking one ormore additional blocks by mating one side face 21, 23, 121, 123 of theone or more additional blocks 11, 111 with a cooperating side face 21,23, 121, 123 of an other of the one or more additional blocks 11,111;forming a transverse course by (a) mating one recess 25, 125 of thefront face 13, 113 or back face 15, 115 of the first block 11 with aprotrusion side face 21, 121 of an additional block 11, 111, and (b)laterally interlocking one or more additional blocks 11, 111 by matingone side face 21, 23, 121,123 of the one or more additional blocks 11,111 with a cooperating side face 21, 23,121,123, of the one or moreadditional blocks 11,111; setting a second transverse course by matingthe transverse protrusion 31,131 of the bottom face 19, 119 of anadditional block 11, 111 with a longitudinal recess 25, 125 of the topface of the first block; setting a second course by mating thetransverse protrusion 31,131 of the bottom face 19, 119 of an additionalblock 11, 111 with a transverse recess of the top face of the firstblock; aligning the bore 33, 133 of the additional block 11, 111 withthe bore 33, 133 one or more additional blocks 11,111; and inserting analignment rod and/or an anchor into a bore of one block 11, 111 andextending the alignment rod into a bore 33 of one or more additionalblocks 11,
 111. 6. The method of claim 5, further including the stepsof: providing a plurality of joist hangers, each of the plurality ofjoist hangers 35 including an upper anchoring member 37 attached to anupper u-shaped channel 39, a lower anchoring member 41 attached to alower u-shaped channel 43, and one or more connective members 45connecting the upper u-shaped channel 39 to the lower u-shaped channel43, so to receive a portion of joist within said upper and loweru-shaped channels 39, the upper anchoring member 37 and lower anchoringmember 41 having mounts 47 for alignment with a bore 33 of the block 11for receiving the alignment rod and/or an anchor, setting a joist hanger35 by aligning the mount 47 of the upper anchor member 37 with a bore 33on the top face 17, 117 of a block 11, 111, and aligning the mount 47 ofthe lower anchor member 41 with a bore on the bottom face 19, 119 of theblock 11, 111, passing the alignment rod, or an anchor or bolt throughthe mount 47 of the upper anchor member 37, though the bore 33 of theblock 11, 111, through the lower anchor member 41 of the joist hanger35, and preferably through a bore 33 of another block 11, 111 situatedabove or below the joist hanger
 35. 7. The method of claim 6, furtherincluding the steps of providing a plurality of joists, and insertingone end of a joist into the lower u-shaped channel 43, and the upperu-shaped channel 39 of a joist hanger.
 8. The method of claim 7, furtherincluding the steps of: providing a plurality of truss brackets, each ofthe plurality of truss brackets 49 having a pair of arms 51 connected toa recess channel 53, the recess channel 53 adapted to cooperatively fitwithin the longitudinal recesses 25, 125 and/or the transverse recesses27, 127 of the building block 11, and the recess channel 53 furtherhaving a bore mount 57 for fixing the truss bracket 49 to a bore 33 ofthe block 11 with one or more of the plurality of alignment rods, and/oran anchor such as a rod or a bolt, and the pair of arms includes aplurality of mounts 55 for receiving a fastener such a screw or a nailfor fixing the portion of the truss to the truss bracket when theportion of the truss is disposed within the pair of arms 51, fixing thetruss bracket 49 to a block 11, 111 by aligning the bore mount 57 with abore 33 of the block 11, 111 and inserting a fastener such as a bolt,rod, or pin to fix the truss bracket 49 to the block 11,
 111. 9. Themethod of claim 8, further including the step of providing a pluralityof trusses, and inserting one portion of a truss into the pair of armsof the truss bracket, and fixing the truss to the truss bracket bypassing a fastener through at least one of the plurality of mounts ofthe truss bracket.
 10. A wall formed from a plurality of buildingblocks, each of the plurality of building blocks including a front face13 and a back face 15, a top face 17 and a bottom face 19, and aprotrusion side face 21 and a recess side face 23 all connected to formthe building block; the front face 13 and the back face 15 each includea pair of longitudinal recesses, the top face 17 includes a pair oflongitudinal recesses 25 aligned with the longitudinal recesses 25 ofthe front face 13 and the back face 15 and a transverse recess 27centrally located on the top face 17 transversely intersecting the pairof longitudinal recesses 25, creating intersection points 29, the recessside face 23 includes a transverse recess 27 aligned with the transverserecess 27 of the top face 17, the protrusion side face 21 includes atransverse protrusion 31 designed to mate with the transverse recess 27of an other of the building block 11, the bottom face having at leastone transverse protrusion 31 for mating with a recess 25, 27 of a topface 17 of an other of the building block 11, the transverse protrusion31 is aligned with the transverse recess 27 of the recess side face 23and aligned with the transverse protrusion 31 of the protrusion sideface 21, and a pair of bores 33, each bore 33 longitudinally disposed toextend from the intersection points 29 of the top face 17 to the bottomface 19, for allowing a user to place an alignment rod and/or a rod orpin within a bore 33 of a first building block 11 and within the bore ofa second building block 11 when said first and second building blocks 11are placed on top of each other; the wall including a first course thebuilding blocks, the first course comprising a first building blockselected from the plurality of building blocks and a plurality ofadditional building blocks selected from the plurality of buildingblocks, wherein the first building block is placed in a first location,and either the recess side face of the first block is mated with theprotrusion side face of an additional building block selected from theplurality of additional building blocks, or the protrusion side face ofthe first block is mated with the recess side face of an additionalbuilding block selected from the plurality of additional buildingblocks, thereby causing the first building block and the additionalbuilding blocks to become mated blocks, and wherein one ore more of theplurality of additional building blocks is laterally interlocked with amated block by mating either the recess side face of the mated blockwith the protrusion side face of an additional building block selectedfrom the plurality of additional building blocks, or by mating theprotrusion side face of the mated block with the recess side face of anadditional building block selected from the plurality of additionalbuilding blocks; the wall including a transverse course of buildingblock selected from the plurality of building blocks extending in adirection perpendicular to the first course, wherein (a) one recess ofthe front face or back face of the first block is mated with aprotrusion side face of an additional block, thereby causing the firstbuilding block and the additional building block to become transverselymated blocks, and wherein (b) one ore more of the plurality ofadditional building blocks is laterally interlocked with a transverselymated block by mating the recess side face of the transversely matedblock with the protrusion side face of an additional building blockselected from the plurality of additional building blocks; the wallincluding a second transverse course, wherein the second transversecourse is formed by mating the transverse protrusion 31,131 of thebottom face 19, 119 of an additional block 11, 111 with a longitudinalrecess 25, 125 of the top face of the first block; the wall including asecond course by mating the transverse protrusion 31,131 of the bottomface 19, 119 of an additional block 11, 111 with a transverse recess ofthe top face of the first block; the wall including additionaltransverse courses and additional courses of block selected from theplurality of additional blocks; and the wall including a plurality ofalignment rods that are inserted into one or more bores of the buildingblocks to join one or more courses of building blocks.
 11. The wall ofclaim 10, further including an insulating member fixed to at least thewall at an exterior wall face to form a thermal reservoir.
 12. The wallof claim 11, further including a joist hanger attached to the wall at atop face of a selected building block and at a bottom face of theselected building block for securing a joist to the wall, the joisthanger fixed to the selected building block with an alignment rod. 13.The wall of claim 12, further including a truss bracket attached to thewall at a bore of a top face of a selected building block of the wall,the truss bracket fixed to the bore with a fastener and/or an alignmentrod, and the truss bracket fixed to the truss.